As the world is returning to normalcy, Walt Disney World is also adapting to the changes post-pandemic. With restrictions easing up, guests will soon find that their Disney World visits resemble the familiar experiences of the past. Starting January 9, 2024, the resort will eliminate the requirement for daily theme park reservations, allowing visitors with Park Hopper tickets more flexibility in their park visit schedules.
Disney World has been consistently enhancing its attractions and entertainment offerings to provide unparalleled experiences for its visitors. While some prices may increase, the value offered by Disney’s unique activities, multiple parks, resort hotels, and the vibrant Disney Springs area continues to captivate Disney enthusiasts. The upcoming changes to Disney World, including early entry benefits and exciting attractions like Tron, are sure to make every Disney trip an unforgettable adventure.
Check out this post on the best times to travel to Disney
The End of Theme Park Reservations for Most Guests
Starting from January 9, 2024, Disney World is putting an end to the requirement of theme park reservations for guests holding date-based tickets. Although visitors will still need to buy date-based tickets according to the days they plan to visit, making a theme park reservation for specific parks on chosen days will no longer be necessary.
With this change in place, guests will have more flexibility in deciding which park they want to visit on the day itself. Whether they feel like experiencing Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom or enjoying the Mad Tea Party teacups at The Magic Kingdom, the choice can be made spontaneously.
However, this change does not encompass all ticket types. Disney World’s annual pass holders and those with specific promotional tickets will still need to adhere to the park reservation requirements. They must make a theme park reservation before gaining entry to any Disney World park. This practice ensures that capacity limitations are managed appropriately for those categories of guests.
In conclusion, this modification in Disney World’s policy caters to a more enjoyable experience for most guests, allowing them to freely decide which park they want to explore on a particular day without the constraint of booking a reservation in advance.
The Return of All-Day Park Hopping
Disney World had implemented a restriction on Park Hopper ticket holders since its reopening in July 2020, requiring them to wait until 2 p.m. to visit additional parks. As a result, guests could not “hop” to another park for lunch or early afternoon virtual queue spots for popular attractions.
Fortunately, this limitation is set to change on January 9, 2024, as guests with Park Hopper tickets or annual passes will gain the ability to visit another park at any time. This date also marks the end of theme park reservations for the majority of ticket types, allowing visitors to freely come and go between Disney’s four theme parks. For instance, guests can enjoy early morning rides at The Magic Kingdom and then head to Epcot before the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens at 1 p.m.
On days when theme park reservations are mandatory for annual passholders and promotional ticket holders, these guests can still visit another park anytime after their initial park for the day. This shift to all-day park hopping will provide guests with more flexibility and opportunities to maximize their Genie+ experience, allowing them to make the most of their time at Disney World’s various theme parks.
The Return of Disney World Dining Plans
Disney announced that the Disney Dining Plan would make a comeback in 2024, with the reintroduction set to start on January 9th. This plan enables visitors to prepay for their meals and snacks when booking a vacation package, simplifying their dining experience during their stay. The number of dining credits received with the plan depends on the length of the vacation package.
Disney offers two versions of the dining plan: the Quick Service Dining Plan and the Standard Dining Plan. The Quick Service Dining Plan, priced at $57 for adults and $24 for children aged 3 to 9, consists of:
- Two quick-service meals per night stayed
- A snack or nonalcoholic beverage per night stayed
- One refillable drink mug with endless refills at the resort
The Standard Dining Plan, priced at $94 for adults and $30 for children aged 3 to 9, comprises:
- One table-service meal per night stayed
- One quick-service meal per night stayed
- A snack or nonalcoholic beverage per night stayed
- One refillable drink mug with endless refills at the resort
Guests can currently book these plans along with their Walt Disney World room and ticket packages. Furthermore, starting November 14th, guests can benefit from discounts of up to 50% on kids theme park tickets and dining plans at specific Disney World hotels for most nights between March 3rd and June 30th, 2024. The overall value of the Dining Plans ultimately depends on individual usage patterns.
Disney World Parking Price Increase
The cost of standard parking at all four Disney theme parks has recently increased from $25 to $30. This adjustment aligns Disney’s parking fees with those of other Orlando-area theme parks, such as Universal Orlando, where the price starts at $27, and SeaWorld Orlando, where the minimum parking fee is $30.
For guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel, the parking remains complimentary at both their hotel and Disney’s theme parks. If you are not staying on-site, it’s important to note that you only need to pay for parking once per day. Keep your parking receipt handy, as it will grant access to the parking lots of any other Disney park you visit that day without additional charges.
Concerning date-based ticket holders, starting January 9, 2024, they can visit any theme park without a reservation as long as their ticket is valid on that particular date.
Annual Pass Price Increase and Perks
Walt Disney World annual pass prices have recently undergone an increase. The pricing adjustments affect all four annual pass tiers for both new sales and renewals. The updated prices for new annual pass sales are listed below:
- Disney Incredi-Pass: $1,499 (previously $1,399)
- Disney Sorcerer Pass: $999 (previously $969)
- Disney Pirate Pass: $799 (previously $749)
- Disney Pixie Dust Pass: $439 (previously $399)
Renewal prices for the annual passes have also experienced an increase:
- Disney Incredi-Pass: $1,229
- Disney Sorcerer Pass: $849
- Disney Pirate Pass: $679
- Disney Pixie Dust Pass: $369
Before purchasing an annual pass, you must do the math to determine if the cost of a Disney World annual pass is a worthwhile investment. For instance, with the most expensive Incredi-Pass, previously an individual would have needed to visit the park approximately 10 or more days per year to justify the pass’s cost. However, this estimate does not factor in the passholder discounts offered for hotels, dining, and merchandise, which can result in substantial savings.
Besides the provided discounts, annual passholders enjoy various additional benefits throughout the year. Currently, passholders can enter Disney World’s theme parks after 2 p.m. without a reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at The Magic Kingdom.
Starting sometime in January 2024, annual passholders will also be able to take advantage of “good-to-go days.” These designated days will allow passholders to visit the theme parks without needing a reservation. The theme park reservation calendar will be updated periodically to include these special days, offering passholders the opportunity to experience any park they choose without a reservation, embracing spontaneity.
Bottom Line
The upcoming changes in 2024 for Disney World showcase the company’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience. Acknowledging visitor feedback, Disney has implemented various improvements to ensure an enjoyable time for all. Although it’s not possible to eliminate price increases, visitors can still find ways to manage their expenses during their vacation.
To make the most of your Disney World experience and potentially save money, consider exploring options such as:
- Evaluating the benefits of Disney Visa credit cards
- Researching the best Disney World hotels for your preferences
- Renting Disney Vacation Club points to reduce costs
- Utilizing points to purchase Disney tickets
- Reading reviews of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve hotel
By staying informed and investigating these options, travelers will be in a better position to maximize their enjoyment at Disney World while keeping their budget in check.
